Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Chocolate Covered Strawberries
MAKES 12 TO 18
Use strawberries with long stems attached if you can find them—the stem makes a convenient handle. Although strawberries are classic, this recipe also works well with cherries, banana pieces, or pineapple chunks.
Dried apricots are good, too. For fruits without stems, use a skewer to avoid dunking your fingers in the melted chocolate.
INGREDIENTS
8 ounces high-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 quart strawberries, rinsed and thoroughly dried
For White Chocolate Drizzle
3 ounces white chocolate (white chocolate chips do
not melt well, so use bar white chocolate)
V egetable oil, if needed
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set
aside. Microwave the chocolate, whisking often, until
melted and smooth, 1 to 3 minutes.
2. Holding the strawberries by the stem, gently dip
them into the chocolate, turning them to coat completely.
Allow the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl.
Transfer the strawberries to a parchment-lined baking
sheet and place the baking sheet in the refrigerator until
the strawberries cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
3. Optional White Chocolate Decoration: Microwave
the white chocolate, whisking often, until melted and
smooth, 1 to 3 minutes. Using a spoon drizzle the white
chocolate over the cooled chocolate-coated strawberries.
If the white chocolate seems too stiff to drizzle, stir in
vegetable oil, ½ teaspoon at a time, to loosen it. Transfer
the baking sheet to the refrigerator until the chocolate has
hardened completely.